WillardPublicSchools
 Student Focused | Strongly Connected | Success Driven
The Pride
November 13, 2015
In This Issue
Willard Parks
  
Turkey Trot
Nov. 26th
  
Christmas on the Frisco
Nov. 20th & 21st
        
District Office

Veteran Pride!

Teaching the "Unwritten Curriculum"!

 

I attended several Willard Veteran's Day Assemblies this week.  The high school assembly was exceptional!  ROTC cadets stand at attention surrounding the mezzanine area, post colors, and usher in all veterans.  The band and choir perform patriotic songs.  Students, staff, and administration pay honor and respect to our veteran guests. 
 
After the assembly a visitor shared how much they appreciated the respect and honor demonstrated toward the veterans.  They also shared that their home district declines to celebrate the day. 
 
Willard Public Schools is dedicated to instructional excellence.  Math, Communication Arts, Science, Fine Arts, etc....  are curriculum based pieces of this instruction.  However there is "Unwritten Curriculum" in Willard Schools.  One unique section of this unwritten curriculum is to help students understand the civic duty that we share to honor and appreciate veterans. 
 
The assemblies I attended were not the normal high energy, motivational, fun, assemblies which students greatly enjoy.  These assemblies were serious and ceremonial.  In every venue, I witnessed students K-12 demonstrating the appropriate respect and appreciation deserved.  Willard students understand that military service demands respect.  I could not be more proud of how our students demonstrated this respect. 
 
Every year I am personally thankful for my father who served in WWII and my brother that served during Desert Storm.  They both returned safely home but contributed to a legacy of service.  It is times such as this that I realize some of the things we teach in the "Unwritten Curriculum" are just as important as all the other instructional content learned in school.    If you are a veteran I appreciate your service to our country!
 
Have a great weekend!
 
Dr. Kent E. Medlin
Superintendent
Athletics & Activities
We are in a bit of a lull in athletics right now but it has been a lot of fun watching our boys and girls basketball teams as well as our wrestling squad working hard to prepare for their seasons.  However, that doesn't mean we don't have other activities busy doing what Willard does....win!!!!
 
A HUGE Tiger congratulations to the cheerleaders on placing 3rd at State!  We are already busy making their new state sign that will go up in the gym.  The squad and the coaches have worked countless hours on their routine and all of that hard work definitely paid off!
 
Congratulations to seniors Amanda Maggard and Zephan McGlasson on being selected to the Missouri All-State Choir this past Saturday.  This is the second year in a row that each of these talented and hardworking students have earned this prestigious honor.  To earn this honor you must finish in the top 8 of your section after a rigorous audition process.  There were over 130 Sopranos that auditioned and Amanda finished in the top 6 and 78 Tenors auditioned and Zephan finished 7th. 
 
What an amazing tournament the Speech and Debate Team had at Republic last weekend!  
 
Here are the Novice Results: Making it to Semi Finals in IX Bryant Belcher, Prose/Poetry Reading Avery Lingenfelser, and Story Telling Kat Prier! Placing in Finals were the following: IX 6th John Baker, Humorous Interp. 6th Brooke Parton, 4th Ethan Gambriel, and 1st Brodee Turnbaugh.   In Prose/Poetry Reading 6th Maddie Bouttavong, 5th Ethan Palumbos, and 4th Brodee Turnbaugh. Finally in Duo Interpretation 5th Brooke Parton and Hannah Stuart, and 2nd Madi Jones and Ethan Gambriel! In Novice Debate Kamryn Amstutz and Julia Higgins placed 4th in Policy and in Lincoln Douglas Debate Tina Pan 2nd!
 
 Now for the Varsity: Making it to Semi Finals in Story Telling Kelsey Christianson, Chance Curtis in Radio, and Duo Interp Kelsey Christianson and Aly Marshall. Placing in Finals Katelynn Wilson 1st Humorous Interp and 3rd in Duo Interp Kaitlyn Textor and Amanda Mudd!   
 
In Varsity Debate Champ LD Elijah Pits placed 3rd!  
 
Out of twenty schools our team won 3rd in Novice Sweeps, 5th in Varsity Sweeps, and 4th Overall in Sweeps! 
 
It's Good To Be A Tiger!
 
Jeff Staley
Directory of Activities/Athletics
High School
On Wednesday, November 11, students and staff gathered in the gym to honor veterans.  Kudos to the WHS Band, WHS Choir, and NJROTC.  Our student groups make the event unique and distinctive.  A special 'Thank you' to Mrs. Kiesewetter for producing an awesome video.  In an era of free speech and acceptance of varying ideals, citizenship is still an important aspect of living in the greatest country in the world.  Whatever political beliefs we may have, impetus persists in honoring and showing reverence to those who have protected or are currently protecting our freedoms. 
 
During the assembly, MOST impressive was our students!  I am very proud how our students conducted themselves during the assembly.  Great test scores, low discipline, and awesome activities and athletics are WHS trademarks; but, the positive, appropriate manners extended by our high school students says so much more about our students and community!
 
Next week WHS drama department will be performing the musical "Working".  Performances are scheduled Thursday through Saturday, 7:30 PM. See our website or contact the office for ticket information.  It looks to be a great performance!
 
Winter sports practices have begun.  Thanksgiving is on the horizon.  Fall EOC testing is coming in a few weeks.  The December ACT national test date is approaching (Dec 12).  Semester finals are scheduled for December 16-18.  1st Semester will be over before we know it! 
 
It is GREAT to be a Tiger!  
 
Curt Graves
Principal
Middle School
This week was full of excitement at Willard Middle School.  We were honored to have 76 veterans attend our veterans assembly on Wednesday, November 11.   This is a special time to show the veterans how much we appreciate their service.  Today, we received a letter from a veteran's wife that expressed her gratitude at how we recognized her husband.  She shared that being a Vietnam veteran, coming home was a painful experience, and our recognition of her husband meant more to him then we could imagine.  

The winter assembly was a time for our winter sports and activities to be introduced to the student body.  Cheerleaders performed for the school and coaches introduced girls basketball, boys basketball, wrestling, and bowling.   We also had a few fun competitions! Coach Cox and Coach Stone created a little humor by dressing up as sumo wrestlers and competed for who could make the most layups.

Thursday night,  the WMS wrestlers kicked off their season at Nixa.  There were a lot of wins and pins that night!! Way to go boys!  If you have never watched middle school wrestling, I would encourage you to come to one of their duals.  Each boy puts their heart and soul in their competition and it is exciting to see them out on the mat.  Below is a picture of Rylan Dixon pinning his opponent.
Amy Sims
Principal
We Learn. We Lead. We Succeed.
Intermediate

Tuesday morning WIS had the honor of hosting over 100 members of our school community that have served our great country in military service.  It was a packed house!  Our Veterans Day assembly featured members of the high school ROTC Color Guard, our own Honor Choir, and a phenomenal speech by Willard staff member Ken Ashton.   Thank you Veterans for your service!

 
 

Tom Davis

Principal 

Orchard Hills
Central Elementary School

Wednesday morning was a blessing as our students and staff honored our Veterans for their service to our country and protecting our freedoms.  Parents and staff members provided a wonderful breakfast for our Veterans and their students. 

 

Thank you to the WHS JNROTC for presenting the flag and for their Tandem Rifle Presentation.  Also, a special thank you to Mr. Kevin Holle, father of Galia Holle, for speaking to our students and Veterans about service. A special moment for all in attendance was when our students introduced their Veterans in attendance and shared why they thought their family member was a hero.  Thank you to all who helped make our Veterans Day Assembly a special memory for our students and their families, and thank you to our Veterans for your service and sacrifice for our country!

Shane Medlin

Principal 

East
Willard East wants to thank all our Veterans and let them know how much we appreciate their service. We celebrated Tuesday afternoon and evening with a fantastic performance by our 2nd graders.
  
Our newest club starts this week called FLOORS. This club is based on an iPad app and allows the students to create video games. 

Tune in next week for a review of our very first Skyzone Family Night! 
Melinda Miller
Principal
North
This week we celebrated Veteran's Day and honored over 30 veterans from Willard North. They enjoyed breakfast and then we recognized them at our assembly.  The students were excited to share this day with them.  Thank you to all of our service men and women!
 
 Just a reminder that our 2nd Annual PTO Art Walk will be Tuesday, November 17 from 6-8.  Come out and enjoy the beautiful art and even have a chance to bid on some great art made by our very own Willard North students.
     
Looking Ahead...
Tuesday, November 17-PTO Art Walk
Tuesday, November 24-Super Tiger
 
Have a great weekend!
Amanda Hambey
Principal
South
Special Education

The entire month of October was dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding of individuals with disabilities. Buildings participated in various ways by hosting guest speakers, viewing videos, raising funds and more.  Here are some highlights:
  • Willard North staff and students participated in "jean days" to raise money for Camp Barnabas.  They were able to raise $285.72 for their cause which will help a student with special needs attend the summer camp.
  • Willard Central hosted a community time with Mrs. Lassley's class along with some of their friends.  The students introduced their friends who have disabilities and discussed how the disability is a part of the student, but it is not a definition of who they are. They also shared pictures of the students enjoying everyday activities that reiterates that their disability does not limit or define them.
  • Willard Intermediate hosted a month of activities with specific, targeted information re: ADHD/ADD, BD/ED, Physical Impairments and Sensory Processing Difficulties.  A popsicle party was awarded to the class that was able to answer questions in these areas each week.
  • Willard Orchard Hills gave opportunity for special guest speaker Mr. Waddington to share about his challenges of being blind and how they must embrace a growth mindset to meet the challenge.
  • Willard South created posters to spur thinking with this information:
    • 14.7 Percent of Willard students who receive services under an IEP or 504 Plan
    •  13 Categorical Disabilities students can qualify for services
    •  11 Months a year students can receive support at school

 

    • IDEA 2004 Law ensuring services to children with disabilities

 

    • 1 YOU!! Person can make a difference
       
I know that I couldn't possibly list every effort off of the list, but I did want to say how proud I am of our students and staff across Willard and the continued efforts to care for ALL students!

Have a great weekend,
 
Caryn McDonnell
Director of Special Services




Willard Public Schools | 417-742-2584
500 E Kime
Willard, MO 65781